Week in Brief
Welcome to the Powers’ “Washington Week in Review,” a weekly newsletter that provides updates on recent activities in Congress and federal agencies, as well as a look ahead at upcoming events and looming regulatory deadlines.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Monday, June 25
The House Committee on Appropriations postponed a markup of the Fiscal Year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.
Senators voted to proceed with debate on the Senate Farm Bill by a 89-3 vote.
Tuesday, June 26
The House Committee on Natural Resources held a Legislative Hearing on Offshore Renewable Energy Opportunities.
The Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations advanced its Fiscal Year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.
Wednesday, June 27
The House Committee on Natural Resources held a business meeting to consider energy-related legislation, including the “Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act,” (H.R.5291), the “Education and Energy Act of 2018,” (H.R.5859), and the “Removing Barriers to Energy Independence Act” (H.R.6087).
Thursday, June 28
The Senate confirmed Tara Sweeney as the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior in a unanimous vote. Sweeney is the first Alaska Native and second woman to take the reins at Indian Affairs.
The Senate passed the 2018 Farm Bill by a 86-11 margin and included provisions to support Native American farmers, ranchers and communities. The bill now heads to a conference committee with the House to reconcile differences between the two chambers’ bills.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations advanced all 12 fiscal year 2019 appropriations bills.
FROM THE AGENCIES
Tuesday, June 27
The Department of Justice announced $110 million in grants for Native American and Alaska Native victims of crime.
UPCOMING EVENTS
House Committee on Natural Resources
Legislative Hearing on Proper Administration of Water Facilities.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 2:00 p.m.
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
The Subcommittee on National Parks will hold a Legislative Hearing on S.3172, the “Restoring Our Parks Act.”
Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 3:00 p.m.
366 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Roundtable on “School Infrastructure Needs in Indian Country: Examining Opportunities for Success.”
Thursday, July 12, 2018, 2:30 p.m.
628 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Hearing on S.3060, a bill to repeal section 2141 of the Revised Statutes to remove the prohibition on certain alcohol manufacturing on Indian lands; and S.3168, a bill to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to make the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund permanent.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018, 2:30 p.m.
628 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Meeting on Tribal Health Issues.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 8:00 a.m.
200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Tribal Consultation on the Proposed Reorganization of the Department of the Interior.
June through September, 2018